award

Besides playing the traditional roles of informing, educating and entertaining the public, journalists are increasingly taking the crucial role of agents of change and empowerment. They research and expose, they advocate for important causes, they are a bridge between the leaders and the masses, and they are the voice of the voiceless. They shape opinion and articulate the people’s agenda.

They are supposed to uphold the public interest. Journalists and the media have immense power. And there are a lot of expectations from the people. It is therefore of paramount importance that journalists carry out their duties in the most professional manner. Professionalism in journalism can only be attained if the development of media industry is supported. One way of providing support is to recognize those who excel and this is what the Excellence in Journalism Awards in Tanzania have been established to do. We believe the winners of the awards will not only be motivated to excel more but will act as role models to others.

Previously several media associations have been giving awards in their specific areas of interest such as sports, the environment, HIV/AIDS and governance issues. However, these awards were at times sporadic and the prizes not so competitive, rendering their impact almost negligible. It was with this in mind that the Media Council of Tanzania took upon itself the task of coordinating its partners to organize a prestigious award to recognize and rewards system excellence in journalism in both print and the electronic media. The MCT and its partners, will award journalists in 16 categories with a possibility of increasing the number of categories in future competitions.

Past Overall Winners

    2017
  • Excellence in Journalism Award Winners
  • Vivian Pyuza
    • 2016
  • Excellence in Journalism Award Winners
  • Florence Majani
    • 2015
  • Excellence in Journalism Award Winners
  • Frank Bahati
    • 2014
  • Excellence in Journalism Award Winners
  • Overall - Lucas Liganga and Mkinga
  • Mkinga Lifetime Archievemement Award - Jenerali Ulimwengu
    • 2013
  • Excellence in Journalism Award Winners
  • Overall - Idd Juma Yusuph
  • Lifetime Archievemement Award - Mariam Hamdan
    • 2012
  • Excellence in Journalism Award Winners
  • Overall - Lucas Liganga
  • Lifetime Archievemement Award - Hamza Kasongo

EJAT 2018 Categories

  • Business, Economy and Finance Reporting Award
  • Culture and Sports Reporting Award
  • Health Reporting Award
  • Agriculture and Agri – business reporting Award
  • Education Reporting Award
  • Tourism and Conservation Reporting Award
  • Taxation and Revenue Collection Reporting Award
  • Investigative Reporting Award
  • Data Journalism Award
  • Human Rights and Good Governance Reporting Award
  • Best photo journalist Award
  • Best cameraman Award
  • Best Editorial Cartoonist Award
  • Gender and Youths Reporting Award
  • Elderly Reporting Award
  • Children Reporting Award
  • Oil, Gas and Mining governance Reporting Award
  • Safety and Quality of Food, Medicines and Cosmetics reporting Award
  • Open Category Award

Call for entries

The Excellence in Journalism Awards Tanzania (EJAT) is a joint initiative of the Media Council of Tanzania and its partners; Tanzania Media Foundation (TMF), the Media Institute of Southern Africa-Tanzania (MISA-Tan), the Tanzania Media Women’s Association (TAMWA), and the Journalists Environmental Association of Tanzania (JET), Union of Tanzania Press Clubs (UTPC) HakiElimu, BEST-Dialogue, Sikika, Agriculture Non-State Actors Forum (ANSAF) and the Media Owners’ Association of Tanzania (MOAT).

Eligibility

Tanzanian journalists working for any newspaper/ Radio/ TV channels and Online TV (published/telecast between January 1st and December, 31, 2018) are eligible to apply.

Criteria for Awards The criteria for awards in Print & Broadcast journalism are:-

  • Significance of a news story, resourcefulness & courage in gathering information & skills in relating the story apart from:
  • Originality (in subject selection/problem identification), specificity, accountability and the presentation of facts about the subject/problem.
  • Investigative skills on complex issues, sources and sourcing (the use of both human and documentary multiple sources).
  • The journalist’s objectivity, critical analysis, and rigor in addressing the problem (subject).
  • The quality of the writing/style and mastery of language in handling the subject.
  • The creativity of the work (ability to show new perspectives) and its impact to the community.
  • Degree of difficulty / logistical challenges experienced.
  • Comprehensiveness of the report.
    • In Best photographer category, the following criteria will be also considered:
  • Visuals that Cameraman reveal technical, journalistic competence and skills in arresting important and interesting moment that draw strong emotional impact to a reader.
  • Visuals that provide with a concise and clear caption that influence the picture meaning with correctly put in the 5Ws and an H with right facts.
  • Strong and unique composition: Proper skills in element placement, skillful perspective and camera angles that add narrative to the photograph.
  • The visuals content is relevant, has public impact or benefit to the story, topical, newsworthy, important and relevant
  • The story is about an issue of public importance/human interest
  • Advances an agenda of community or national importance.
  • Visuals that adhere to photojournalistic standards and ethics – un faked reality, not taken from places prohibited by law, not of nudity, don’t marvel at human suffering/the deceased
  • Not digitally manipulated.

You can submit a maximum of three entries in the three categories. Please fill a form for each entry submitted. Participation forms are available at the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) offices, media houses , Press Clubs and also on the website: www.mct.or.tz

Entries and their completed forms should be sent to the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) offices located at Block B, First Floor, Josam House, Mwenge, or by using the address below:

Chief Judge,
Excellence in Journalism Awards Tanzania 2019, the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT),
PO Box 10160 , Dar es Salaam.
Closing date for entries is 31 January 2019

Criteria for Judging EJAT Entries